Movies & Us

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined Daisah to review Malcom & Marie. They discuss how the emotional trauma displayed on the screen affected each of them. They also dissect the unusual nature of the film, both structurally and culturally, and share what they hope to see more from filmmakers in 2021 and beyond. What did you think of Malcolm & Marie? H...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review The Little Things. They dissect some of the odd writing decisions and imagine ways the film could’ve been improved. They also discuss the casting choices and how, sometimes, even great actors can’t save a poorly written movie. What did you think of The Little Things? Did it live up to your expectations? Follow us on Instagram...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by Kevin to review Bong Joon-Ho’s film, Parasite. They compare their experiences watching this Oscar-winning film again and the many incredible themes woven through the story. They discuss the precision with which this film was made and how Parasite will stand the test of time. What did you think about Parasite? What them...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by Carisha to review One Night in Miami. They discuss the excellence of Kemp Powers’ writing and Regina King’s expert direction of a stellar cast. They also discuss the power of this intimate character study of some of the most iconic men of the 1960s. What did you think of One Night in Miami? What do you hope to see next...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Pixar’s Soul. Though an animated film, it is filled with themes tailor-made for adults such as finding your purpose, recovering from shame, and the finality of death. They discuss each of these topics, while also commenting on the artistic talent depicted in this film. What did you think of Soul? What do you think about the c...

To celebrate the new year, Jen and Sarah reflect on the films they watched in 2020. In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, they share their Top 10 films that shaped the year and notice some interesting themes that emerge. Jen’s List Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) Hamilton (2020) The Godfather Part 2 (1974) Fences (2016) Honey Boy (2019) Da 5 Bloods (2020) For Sama (2019) Ma Rainey’...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by Sydney to review Wonder Woman 1984. They dive into the odd casting choices and the unnecessarily confusing plot. They also speculate about the morals of the film and what it’s trying to teach us. Finally, they talk about the business decision to premiere the film in both theaters and HBO Max and the future of the DC Ex...

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Carisha, to review Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, they discuss the powerful performances, truthful characters, and the film’s dedication to the original play. They also share the ways this film encapsulates both American history and our current moment. What did you think of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom?...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah roast the Netflix film, Holidate. Though it remained on Netflix’s Top 10 for many weeks, the film is full of problems. They discuss the poor writing and storytelling that reinforces unhealthy views about romantic relationships. And they also wonder how such an emotionally out-of-tune film could be made today. What did you think of H...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review David Fincher’s long-awaited film, Mank. They discuss the fast-paced script and creative way of telling this famed screenwriter’s story. They also dive into the stunning performances by this talented cast and speculate about this film’s Oscar chances. What did you think of Mank? How do you think it might fare at the 93rd Acad...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Alex, to review Hillbilly Elegy. They discuss the problematic nature of the characters and the difficult-to-follow style of storytelling in Ron Howard’s latest film. They also comment on the success of the book, the film’s departure from the source material, and speculate how this story could’ve been tol...

Jen and Sarah review The Queen’s Gambit in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They wonder what factors led to this Netflix limited series taking the world by storm, having been featured in Netflix’s Top 10 for over a month. They also dive into the main characters, dissecting how each one contributed to or detracted from the plot. Finally, they speculate if The Queen’s Gambit provides...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Woody Harrelson’s directorial debut, Lost in London. They discuss the film’s story problems along with its impressive technical achievement. They wonder how this film’s creative release led to its favorable reviews and speculate if future filmmakers will attempt such an audacious project. What did you think of Lost in London?...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review From Russia With Love in honor of the late Sir Sean Connery. They discuss this iconic Bond performance and how it compares with later versions of this character. They also dissect the brilliant cinematography that enhances the spycraft of the suave hero. What did you think of From Russia With Love? How does this rank among th...

Jen and Sarah review Sofia Coppola’s newest movie, On the Rocks, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss its lackluster characters and thin plot lines and wonder if the film was banking on Bill Murray’s dynamic personality to fill in the gaps. They also dive into different ways to interpret the film’s ending to create a more meaningful resolution. What did you think of On...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by LeTesha to review The Hate U Give. They discuss the ambitious nature of the film to cover a number of important topics such as code-switching, cultural narratives, structural injustice, the need for a strong support system, and more. Weaving in their personal experiences, they share how stories such as this one can be...

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Carisha to review The Trial of the Chicago 7. They dive into the film’s strategic choices to highlight parts of history that have long been glossed over. They also discuss how this dialogue-rich story is an important movie for this moment in time. What did you think of The Trial of the Chicago 7? How does this compare with other Sorkin films? Follow us on...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review I’m Thinking of Ending Things. The speculate what Charlie Kaufman’s latest film means and how its Netflix release affects the viewing experience. They discuss the nature and importance of art in our society and how these stories shape our lives. What did you think of I’m Thinking of Ending Things? How does this compare with o...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by Abby to discuss The Social Dilemma. They break down the information shared in Netflix’s latest documentary and discuss the role of social media in our society. They wonder about the future of technology and contemplate potential next steps that can be taken. What did you think of The Social Dilemma? Has watching this d...

Jen and Sarah review 2012’s Safety Not Guaranteed in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They compare the film’s overall tone and message with its whimsical ending and wonder how the film could’ve felt more cohesive. They also discuss how society has changed since 2012 and which characters didn’t age very well. What did you think of Safety Not Guaranteed? How does this compare with ot...

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Sydney to review A Quiet Place in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the ways this film differentiates itself from the horror genre, including the strong emotional cues and the character development. They also speculate about the film’s sequel and share whether they are looking forward to spending more time with these characters....

Jen and Sarah review Boys State in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the different takeaways from the documentary and what this film says about our society as a whole. The speculate about what Girls State might look like and wonder how these events change from state to state and year to year. What did you think of Boys State? Would you want to watch a Girls State docume...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by a special guest, Yeon Soo, to discuss Disney’s Mulan. They compare and contrast this remake with the original film and discuss some of the new additions to the story. They also share some theories about why characters were added or removed and how those creative choices affected the film’s message as a whole. What did...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by a special guest, Erin, to discuss The Shining. They share their thoughts on the characters and casting in this classic horror film. And they even share some theories about the plot’s twists and turns. What did you think of The Shining? What do you think it’s all about? Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment...

In this very special 100th episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah celebrate! They share their favorite moments and episodes from the last year, along with the meaning behind the name and why they started the podcast. Then, they review Birdman, a film that goes back to the origins of SWE. They discuss the film’s overwhelming intentionality, the three-dimensional characters, and s...